FAQ
Dental Emergencies
We recognize that dental emergency situations do arise, and at Knight Dental, we will do our best to respond to your problem promptly. Whether it is something as simple as a tooth filling or a complicated procedure, we can provide you with assistance. If the problem arises when the offices are closed, our answering service will forward your message to our dentists.
We stand behind the idea that affordable dental care should be a right for everyone, and you can rest assured that we will work with you to ensure you pay as little out-of-pocket as possible for all services. Regardless of whether or not you have insurance, give us a call today to learn more about the affordable dental care options available to you.
A tooth that has been knocked out or cracked is perhaps the most critical dental emergency. If your tooth has been knocked out in an accident, seeing a dentist as soon as possible is vital to saving your tooth. In the meantime, before you get to the dentist, you can take steps to keep your tooth alive, including gently trying to place the tooth back in its socket (without touching the root), keeping the tooth between your gums and lip, placing it in a glass of milk, or placing it in an ADA-approved tooth preservation kit. If your dental emergency is potentially life-threatening, you should go to the emergency room. Even if you have never been to our office before, we are happy to help you during a dental emergency. Please contact us immediately if you are in urgent need of care.
Dental Insurance ~ What You Should Know
At Knight Dental Care, we strive to make your dental care as hassle-free as possible. Accordingly, we accept most insurance plans and will gladly submit your insurance claims in a manner that will maximize your benefits. Just be sure to bring the necessary information with you on your first visit, and we’ll take care of the rest!
Dentures
If you’ve lost teeth from decay, injury, or periodontal (gum) disease, dentures are the solution. Whether you need partial or full dentures, they’re essential, not only to improve the look of your smile but also to your oral health. In addition to allowing you to eat as if you had never lost your teeth, dentures also protect against facial sagging that would otherwise occur and cause a more aged appearance. Dentures can also improve your speech. Denture maintenance combined with a regular regimen of proper brushing can guarantee you’ll lead a more comfortable and healthy life.
Dental Pain ~ What to Do
If you’re experiencing tooth pain, whether sharp and throbbing or dull and achy, it can be difficult to bite and chew, concentrate, get through the day, even sleep at night, no matter what over-the-counter medication you take for some relief.
The source of tooth pain may be dental decay, an injury, or an infection in the tooth. Regardless of the cause, if you have ongoing pain, it’s time to see a dentist for treatment.
Dental Swelling ~ What to Do
While you can take precautions against swelling in your mouth by daily flossing and brushing, which will greatly reduce the amount of harmful bacteria on your teeth and below your gumline, it can happen to even the most dedicated of teeth-brushers. One remedy is to gargle with salt water because that rinses away bacteria. However, this is only a home remedy, and the problem may require professional attention, especially if it starts to spread.
Dental Implants ~ Are They Right for Me?
Dental implants are small titanium cylinders that are inserted into the jaw, mimicking the root structure of the natural tooth. A crown is then anchored to the implant that looks, feels, and functions just like a natural tooth. Unlike other tooth-replacement options, implants recreate the structure of a natural tooth, can stop bone loss, do not affect adjacent healthy teeth, and restore your biting and chewing power.
Dental implants can last a lifetime and will look and feel like your own teeth. Unlike a bridge, which requires that surrounding teeth be ground down, the implant will not affect any other teeth or deteriorate the jawbone. Over time, your gums and jawbone will integrate with the implant, creating a more natural look than with bridges, which can cause gums to recede. Implants are also a secure, comfortable, and hassle-free alternative to traditional dentures. Whether you need a single implant or an entire mouthful, the result is both cosmetic and practical, allowing you to eat your favorite foods and smile with confidence again.
Gum Disease ~ Silent and Deadly
Untreated gingivitis can advance to periodontitis. With time, plaque can spread and grow below the gumline. Toxins produced by the bacteria in plaque irritate the gums. The toxins stimulate a chronic inflammatory response in which the body, in essence, turns on itself, and the tissues and bones that support the teeth are broken down and destroyed. Gums separate from the teeth, forming pockets (spaces between the teeth and gums) that become infected. As the disease progresses, the pockets deepen and more gum tissue and bone are destroyed. Often, this destructive process has very mild symptoms. Eventually, teeth can become loose and may have to be removed.
Children’s Dental Care
Teaching your kids the right way to take care of their smile is very important. Knight Dental Care would be glad to give both you and your child the oral hygiene education you need to keep smiles clean and cavity-free. Begin daily brushing as soon as the child’s first tooth comes in. A pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste can be used after the child is old enough to not swallow it. By age 4 or 5, children should be able to brush their own teeth twice a day with supervision. This supervision should continue until about age 7, in order to make sure they are doing a thorough job. However, each child’s progress will be different.
Proper brushing removes plaque from the inner, outer, and chewing surfaces. When teaching children to brush, place the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle. Start along the gumline with a soft bristle brush in a gentle circular motion. Brush the outer surfaces of each tooth — upper and lower. Repeat the same method on the inside surfaces and chewing surfaces of all the teeth. Finish by brushing the tongue to help freshen breath and remove bacteria.
Flossing removes plaque between the teeth where a toothbrush can’t reach. Flossing should begin when any two teeth touch. You may wish to floss the child’s teeth until he or she can do it alone. Use about 18 inches of floss, winding most of it around the middle fingers of both hands. Hold the floss lightly between the thumbs and forefingers. Use a gentle, back-and-forth motion to guide the floss between the teeth. Curve the floss into a C-shape & slide it into the space between the gum and tooth until you feel resistance. Gently scrape the floss against the side of the tooth. Repeat this procedure on each tooth. Don’t forget behind the four teeth in the back!
These oral hygiene tips are important, especially for your kids. By educating them at a younger age, they’ll have the correct knowledge to provide them with a lifetime of excellent dental health! Call Knight Dental Care for your appointment and consultation today!
Dental Care for Seniors
For seniors, maintaining oral health becomes doubly important. This is because as you age, you become more susceptible to diseases. Of course, it would be ideal to have regular dental checkups and have yourself treated whenever an oral issue arises. Call Knight Dental Care for your appointment and consultation today!
Tooth Whitening ~ Is it right for you?
When it comes to improving the appearance of your smile, professional teeth whitening is one of the easiest ways to make a significant difference. Over time, teeth can become discolored due to aging, genetics, the foods we eat, or smoking. This discoloration can be reversed using professional teeth whitening, which penetrates into the hard outer layer of teeth called enamel, and breaks up the compounds that cause stains. While whitening toothpaste and drugstore kits can help keep your teeth bright, teeth whitening from a dentist will make the fastest, most significant difference in your smile. Call Knight Dental Care today to find out more about the professional teeth whitening services we offer.
Replacing Silver Fillings with Tooth-Colored Fillings
At Knight Dental Care, we believe that the overall health and peace of mind of our patients always comes first. Accordingly, at our office, we have elected only to use new and advanced tooth fillings made of tooth-colored materials. We are able to offer you subtle, flattering options for fillings. Our tooth-colored or white tooth fillings are essentially indistinguishable from your natural teeth.
The tooth-colored material is made of durable composite, resin, or porcelain and can be used both as fillings and to repair defects in the teeth. Tooth-colored fillings are often used on the front teeth where a natural appearance is important. They can be used on the back teeth as well, depending on the location and extent of the tooth decay. While our biggest concern is the health and function of your teeth, we are proud to offer tooth filling options that do not affect the aesthetics of your smile.
Why Have Crowns?
Crowns cover and support a tooth with a large filling when there isn’t enough tooth left. They can be used to attach a bridge, protect a weak tooth from breaking, or restore one that’s already broken. A crown, also called a cap, is a good way to cover teeth that are discolored or badly shaped as well, or to cover a dental implant. A crown can make your tooth stronger and improve its appearance.
There are several types of crowns, including porcelain, ceramic, resin, and metal alloys. The material used can be altered to match the color of your teeth. Getting a crown takes two steps: first, we prepare the tooth by taking x-rays and pictures to check the surrounding bone and tissue and filing down the tooth to make room for the crown. Then, the crown is made and cemented into place. A crown acts the same way as a tooth so after your crowns are placed, you should treat it the same way as well. Continue to brush and floss regularly, and see your dentist for regular checkups!
Root Canal Therapy
A root canal is a small channel inside your tooth that provides the tooth with nutrients. If it becomes inflamed due to injury or infection, you will experience pain and may even lose the tooth. At Knight Dental Care, we can remedy the problem and restore the damaged tooth while ensuring that you are as comfortable as possible during the entire procedure. Nowadays, thanks to modern dental advances and technologies, root canals are relatively pain-free. Think of a root canal procedure as life-saving first aid for your tooth. Don’t suffer needlessly from a toothache! Call us today for an appointment.